Service & Repair

Technical Support

great lens for close up to portrait
After much research I decided on purchasing my first L lens. I had used a 35 mm film camera with a 50mm lens while in the Navy and found it suitable for most of the shots I was making. So the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM lens seemed like the best choice for my first L lens.
The EF 35mm 1.4 has been on my camera most of the past year. It is great for landscape, flowers, and portraits. Maybe it was because of the 1.6 conversion that makes a 35mm on my 7D look more like a 56mm or maybe because I do not make really close up portraits, but I have not seen the distortion that is so noticeable in many portraits made with wide angle lenses.
There was a learning curve with this lens when shooting at it closest distance. I now ensure the right things are in my narrow depth of field when shooting those closer subjects and using the more open f-stops (like 1.4).
My next buy will be an EF 12 II extension tube to get a little closer to making the EF 35mm 1.4L into a macro lens.
December 22, 2013

Absolutely outstanding!!!
I have been photographing for 45 (forty-five) years and have used an assorted array of equipment, mostly in 35mm format.
Without question this lens is magnificent in IQ, handling and brightness. It is usually mounted to my 5D Mark III for street shooting, close-ups and informal portraits. Because I'm working with a FF camera, the added weight and bulk of this lens is inconsequential. It balances very nicely and has great perch for your hand. Manual focusing is also impeccable.
In short, this is one of my two dream lenses (the other being Canon's 135mm f/2 L USM).
Neither lens has stabilization, but that is a non factor, as I have decades of shooting w/o it and know what works.
The out-of-focus (bokeh for you "younguns" who prefer using Japanese) is very, very good.
So, the 35mm FL works much better (for me) versus the 50mm FL, which I feel is too tight on the street and for scene and scenic shooting.
May 2, 2013

Great wide angle portrait lens
This lens is great in low light and is an amazing portrait and wide angle lens. There IS some vignetting wide open, but it's not a big issue for me because I actually like a little vignetting. This lens produces very nice Bokeh wide open. This is a great wedding and portrait lens. I would definitely have this any day over the 35mm 2.0. It is worth saving the money for.
June 12, 2012

Great lens
I purchased the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L USM for use with a Canon 7D & 5D Mk II.
This lens is excellent on both cameras and is sharp from f/1.4 through f/11 (after which it softens - but is still very good).
It is basically L quality glass with a plastic body no L designation and of course no soft bag or even a lens hood which remains an optional accessory. This is why I gave the 3 - 4 star ratings. In light of the quality and cost these items should be included (IMO) never the less it is excellent glass and I would highly recommend it with the above notices.
May 8, 2012